Motivation

Human influenza vaccines are mainly produced in embryonated chicken eggs. This process is restricted by complex logistics and a limited production capacity. Recently, cell culture-based vaccine production strategies have been developed to address these limitations. The optimization of these novel production processes is supported by an explicit understanding of the regulatory mechanisms during influenza virus replication in cell cultures. Influenza virus production in cell cultures is normally initiated at a low multiplicity of infection (MOI) to reach high virus yields [1]. Thus, during the initial phase of virus production only few cells are infected. Typically by just one virus particle. The genome of this single virion has to be successfully replicated to enable the generation and release of infectious progeny virus particles. Under such conditions stochastic effects can exert a considerable influence on virus replication dynamics and yields.

Aim of the project

To improve the quantitative understanding of cell culture-based influenza vaccine production our group developed mathematical models that describe the dynamics of influenza virus replication in single cells and in cell populations [2,3].

The main focus of this project is the development of a mathematical model that describes the effects of random fluctuations during the initial phase of host cell infection on the delay of virus release and the final yield of virus production. We incorporate this variability by applying a stochastic approach for modeling the dynamics of intra- and extracellular virus propagation. The results of these investigations could optimize vaccine production as well as advance medical strategies against influenza.